Incumbent Mills prevails in Rye selectmen race

RYE — Citizens have spoken. More than 1,700 residents cast their votes in Tuesday's election that featured several contested races and influential warrant articles.

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By Crystal A. Weyers

seacoastonline.com

By Crystal A. Weyers

Posted Mar. 12, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By Crystal A. Weyers
Posted Mar. 12, 2014 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

RYE — Citizens have spoken. More than 1,700 residents cast their votes in Tuesday's election that featured several contested races and influential warrant articles.

Incumbent Joseph Mills was re-elected for another three-year term as selectman. He received 421 more votes than opponent Mae Bradshaw, winning 1,041-620. There was applause and an audible sigh heard from supporters of the opposing camps when the results were read aloud by Town Moderator Bob Eaton.

Residents elected to fill two three-year School Board terms are Jeanne Moynahan, the current chairwoman, and Kate Hillman. Moynahan received 841 votes while Hillman received 702. Alissa Tweedie followed with 460, Randy Crapo with 419, and Glenn Walker with 301.

For a one-year term, Melvin Low ran uncontested and received 1,365 votes.

Incumbent Paul Goldman maintained his seat on the Budget Committee. He will serve another three years alongside Jaci Grote. Residents re-elected Goldman with 865 votes and welcomed Grote with 802. Skip Page, who was running in an election for his first time, received 623 votes. On Tuesday, he said he had enjoyed getting out and meeting new people during the campaign.

For library trustee, Karen Allen received 1,063 votes. She and Brian Klinger, with 835 votes, will serve for the next three years. Judy Terhune received 473 votes.

David Kohlhase will maintain his role as sewer commissioner for another three years. He received 798 votes while opponent Robert Burns totaled 475.

Article 8, which sought $250,000 for the final design phase of the improvements and additions to Town Hall, passed by 222 votes, with 932 residents voting in favor and 710 opposed.

Article 7, which sought to allow the Conservation Commission to continue acquiring easements and open space in town, passed by 346 votes. The approved $3 million will be placed in a Conservation Land Acquisition Fund. The article passed by a vote of 1,000-654.

The lengthy beach use ordinance outlined in Article 23 also passed. Citizens voted 924 in favor and 733 opposed. The ordinance's goals are "beach safety and enjoyment of the beach for all beach-goers and protection of the town from liability."

The town voted against adding another full-time patrol officer. Article 17 failed by fewer than 40 votes; 839 citizens were opposed, while 803 were in favor. Chief Kevin Walsh had requested the additional officer.

Citizens approved the purchase of a new ladder truck for the fire department in Article 18, voting 1,068 in favor to 578 opposed.

Articles 9, 10 and 16 all passed. These articles approved the purchase of new equipment for the Department of Public Works and included a front end loader ($45,000), six-wheel dump truck ($150,000) and a 1-ton truck ($65,000).

Of the remaining articles, all passed except articles 5 and 6. Article 5 received 727 votes in favor and 868 opposed. Article 6 received 741 votes in favor and 846 opposed.

Additionally, the $13,213,843 School District budget was overwhelmingly approved, 1,040-453.